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Thursday, 10 March 2016

I am writing this post for you fellow nosy parkers. As I have mentioned before, the first thing I do when checking out someone's blog is head straight to the 'About Me' section. I want to inhale as much information as I can about where you're from, what you do, your likes/dislikes and of course, see your face. Knowing who is talking to you and being able to assign a character to them makes blog reading all the better.

In the spirit of practicing what I preach I am going to lay it bare for you. (Not too bare because I know my Mum is lurking about here somewhere. Hi Mum!)

We'll start at the beginning shall we?

I'm from a small village in County Down Northern Ireland and have been so lucky to live in the middle of the countryside. Nothing is more refreshing to me than rolling hills and the sheer greenness of the place I call home. We've always had tons of animals (sadly not so many any more) and I've always been utterly obsessed with them. Throughout my lifetime we have had 5 cats, 3 dogs, 3 horses, 3 rabbits, 3 guinea pigs, stick insects, an ant farm, hundreds of doves, thousands of fish and millions of hamsters. Now we are sadly down to one dog, one horse and one Yorkshire cat.

Betty, our half pug half shih tzu mix, is an absolute dream boat. I babied her so much when she was a pup she sometimes forgets how to dog. Honestly the soppiest (and most jealous) little BFF you could ever ask for.

Ozzie, my thoroughbred ex race horse, is my pride and joy. I have had her for almost 10 years which is really crazy and I miss her SO much when I'm in Leeds. Over the years we have evented, done county shows and galloped along miles of beaches. She is about 20 right now but you would never know. Despite being a bit of a clumsy oaf she is as adorably excitable as you could imagine and bizarrely enough, absolutely petrified of pigs.

Clemmie is my little Leeds princess. We got her in November 2015 from our local Cats Protection and she is such a friendly face. I wrote about her in enormous detail here if you want to find out more about this gorgeous gal.

I went to big school in Belfast which although is only a 30 minute drive from my house took 2 hours to get to in the morning. Queue plenty of bus ride snoozes until I turned 18. I absolutely loved school and wouldn't hesitate to relive it, even just for a day.

I took a year out from school before I went to uni to fulfil all of my grand plans. Which largely amounted to nothing. I wanted to go to Argentina to ride polo ponies, travel the world and take my riding instructor qualifications but didn't get round to doing any of them - something which I hugely regret, particularly the latter! I didn't really think about it properly before I took the year out. I didn't think about the fact that the majority of my friends where either still in school or had already gone to uni so I spent a year at times pretty lonely but generally having a blast. Amongst other things I went to a cookery school in Bristol for a month which was amazing and worked in a stable yard for a month before I got swine flu and realised mucking out stables for 10 hours a day isn't as much fun when it's not for your own horse.

In September 2010 I moved to Leeds to go to uni and I was absolutely terrified. I knew I had to go to expand my life and take the course I did but I was miserable about living my life behind for the utter unknown. Everybody said to be "you'll last 2 weeks and you'll be home" and I wholeheartedly agreed with them.

Three years later I had graduated from Leeds Met with a 2:1 in PR and Marketing and was SO done with uni. I actually hated my course and the complete favouritism my tutors had for the brown nosing students. A personal highlight was when my tutor for the year told me I was 'distinctly average' and 'would never amount to anything'. Cheeeerrss for that!

My time at uni, and Leeds in total, has been amazing. I have met some unbelievable people and made such amazing friendships I wouldn't change it for the world. I laughed solidly for the three years at uni and had more fun than I thought was possible. I met Ciaran in my second year of uni when he moved into the house all of my BFFs were living in. We've lived together for almost 5 years and been together for four.

Family holiday in Menorca last year

It took me until October to find a proper job out of uni after what felt like thousands of interviews and the same shit sandwich from each employer. 'We really liked you but you just didn't have quite enough experience to get the job but we're sure it won't be long for you'. Honestly it got to the point where I could hardly bare it anymore and was on the brink of giving up trying to get a graduate job entirely.

I worked for a nationwide boiler and central heating installer as their Marketing Assistant and one third of the Marketing department. To say it was an eye opener would be an understatement! I learn so much in the two years that I worked there and met some lovely people, but I was so ready to leave when I handed in my notice.

Before summer 2015 we were in a bit of a conniption about what to do when our tennacy ran out in June. We didn't want to carry on paying rent for someone else's mortgage when we could just (terrifyingly) get our own. So in May we finally got the keys for our own house and moved in 6 weeks later. It was an uphill struggle for weeks trying to remove 60 years worth of wallpaper on every surface imaginable but it's finally finished and is our own little home.

In July last year I started working for a PR agency five minutes away from my house as a Social Media and Digital Exec which was the perfect job for me. I work for numerous different household names and run their social accounts, writing the content plans for the month ahead, talking to customers online, running ads and campaigns and reporting to measure their success. It is a busy job and I need to stay on top of my work/accounts otherwise my brain would quite literally fall out of my mouth.

I've always loved to write and wrote for numerous online and print publications while I was at uni and my blog was an extention of that. Started as a portfolio piece in my first year, I carried on updating it with my new work over the years until I graduated and decided to get my shit together.

What you will find here is a real mix of posts - ranging from beauty reviews, recipes, travel and lifestyle. I hope you find something you like and stick around - come and say hi, I love to chat!

Friday, 4 March 2016

I was tagged in the Beauty Confessions Tag by the lovely Eleanor over at Teapots and Elephants earlier in the week. I can't restist a little quiz so I'm excited to get started! I love reading people's answers to quizes and a Q&A video is the first one I'll watch on YouTube. Of course I love to read posts on people thoughts and opinions, but an 'About Me' page is always the first I'll click on when I'm on a blog. I just LOVE knowing as much as I can about you - I'm far too nosy for my own good. So, if you are like me, this post might be fun to read and to try!

Definitely lipsticks! I have SO many and am such a sucker for seeing/hearing about one person raving about one and straight up buying it. Most of mine are from MAC but my new personal favourites are the Jeffree Star Liquid Lipsticks - they are so pigmented and last forever.

2.) How many products do you have from your addiction?

I couldn't even hazard a guess as they are all over the place! I keep a few faves in my handbag, as well as in my make up bag, on my dressing table and in the car. A bit impractical because it makes it hard to find them in a hurry! I would say I probably have close to 50 which doesn't seem like a huge amount but when you add up the value of them all it is a bit sickening.

3.) What is one type of beauty product you hate? (highlighters, hairspray, etc.)

Hmmm this is hard. I was about to say there was wasn't anything I hate but then I remembered lip gloss. Ugh. I HATE the stickiness and how your hair is constantly getting stuck in it. I don't even like the look of it to be honest. Lip gloss is something I can safely say I will never fall in love with.

4.) What has been your biggest challenge in beauty? (ex: a technique you learned or leaving a beauty comfort zone)

Biggest challenge I would say has been perfecting my winged eyeliner, and even then it is definitely not perfect every time. Funnily enough my 'bad eye' (right eye) which was always the trickest to do and the one that always looked shit has overtaken my left. They've swapped sides which is frustrating - WHY CAN'T YOU BOTH BE PERFECT!

5.) What is one beauty comfort zone you don’t ever think you’ll leave?

I rarely wash my hair and that is something that won't change. It never gets greasy and the longer I leave it the more I like it. It seems to grow texture and volume and I much prefer it like that. I tend to wash it once every 7-10 days and spritz it with dry shampoo on the regs to keep it smelling fresh. I actually plan my life around when I will be washing my hair. I totally resent going out the day after I wash my hair so if I know a night out or something I want to look okay for is coming up I will wash my hair 3+ days in advance.

6.) What is one beauty thing you suck at? (ex: eyeliner like cat eye or taking your makeup off at the end of the day, etc.)

I feel like I talk about this all the time but winged eyeliner. I am slowly improving but it is still something I have to really try hard to do. Nothing is more infuriating than when it is just not working for you and you have to clean all your eye make up off and start again. The stuff of nightmares.

7.) What is one thing in beauty that you don’t understand its hype? (Technique, trend, etc.)

This is a pretty out-there and probably incorrect answer to this question but I honestly cannot get my head around duck feet nails. Like what the actual hell?! BELIEVE ME this is not my hand!

Another I'm not keen on is people who have naturally dark hair dying it blonde. I always think its looks so wrong - I generally think people look best with the hair colour they were born with.

Monday, 29 February 2016

In a few short weeks I will hit the big 2-5. It's a bit of a scary thought to know I'm that old but I'm okay with it. There will be no tears. But is my birthday and I'll cry if I want to.

I thought I would set out my list of 25 things I want to do before I'm 25 as a bit of self motivation. I believe in myself I know I can do it!

I will stop letting my cat rule my life. 'Oh sorry you're sitting there. Okay well I'll just wait over here until you're done'. If I want get into bed so I will stop feeling guilty for chucking her off. Bye Felicia.

I'm going to take control of drunk Alice. She is a crazy bitch with her credit card on a night out. SLIPPERY NIPPLES FOR THE WHOLE GANG! Generally the only regret involved is for my quickly diminished bank balance.

I can never get my head around anyone who goes to the hairdresser and is gassed when they come out. I want to put a bin bag over my head for a few days until it stops looking so flat and 'done'. I'll try to be more honest with my hairdresser and not just say 'oh yeh lovely thanks yeh I really like it...'

I've mentioned it before and I'll mention it again. I need to learn how to make hot choc that isn't like a lumpy swamp - your own drinks shouldn't make you gag - I mean really!

I'm going to try to brush my hair on a more regular basis. More often than not I look like a sasquatch. I must admit I do like this look but detangling (and particularly detangling on a hangover) absolutely slays me. And not in a good way.

On the same thread, I will try and find some more hairstyles I can do and be arsed to do. I have been referred to as Princess Anne on more than one occasion (secretly love it though)

I'm going to stop sweeping things under the carpet. Literally.

I will find a way to make Coca-Cola good for your teeth. Might start petitioning to Unilever to make it a dental approved mouth wash...yum

Actually start wearing the remaining 98% of the bras I own. I totally play the favourites game.

I will perfect my winged eyeliner. Lord knows I try but this will be the year I get it down

I will get on top of my piles. It's no secret I suffer from piles. Inherited from my Mum; I leave piles all over the house of things I will get round to some time. That went in a different direction than you were expecting...!

I'm going to try to stop putting the boring things off. Emails from solicitors, insurance people etc get scanned over and forever marked as 'Unread'. At times to never be read again. Oops. It's not personal if that makes it any better?

I will try not to be such a sentimental hoarder. But who am I kidding?! I love to collect all of the things!

I'll considerstarting to shave above the knee on a more regular basis

I will start treating my shoes with the love and respect they deserve. My collection falls into two camps: the pairs I wear all the time and therefore don't look after like I should, or the ones that are too beautiful/expensive/irreplaceable to ever actually wear and sometimes never come out of the box. This time around I'm coming for these babies!

I love to be organised and keep a diary to plan my days. However I use it more like a tween than a real grown up. I write down the things I have done as well as the things I plan to do so I can look back and be like 'ah yes. Feb 28th 2014. That was the day I had tea and biscuits with the Jehovahs witnesses and put the bins out'. I'm just so nosy it even encroaches on my own life.

I will find a way to remove my mascara without smothering my eyes in moisturiser until I look like I have a severe case of conjunctivitis. It works like a charm but I doubt an optician would recommend it.

I will try to learn from past experiences that it's always the fifth glass of wine that pushes me over the edge. This isn't strictly a bad thing, the best stories always come from the messiest nights.

I will stop pouring over Pets4Homes and daydreaming of my own pup and actually get one. YAY for being an adult.

I will stop being scared to check my bank balance..eek

I will try to remember that no good hangover begins with slippery nipple nightcaps. They are so yummy though...

I will change my toothbrush more often. An old toothbrush is like a perfect pair of shoes. It just fits and a new one just feels weird and wrong. Again probably not recommended

I will try not to be such a social media marketers dream. 'Oooh what a nice lipstick/dress/cushion/phone case, no I really shouldn't - I don't need it.' Thanks for following me over to Facebook Mr Cookies now I can't resist.

I will stop being an emotional wreck. It surely isn't normal to cry every time you see the Lloyds TSB ad with the horses through the ages.

I will try to remember that lists are hard. I refuse to start one I cannot finish. Hence why were are here 6 weeks after I began.